Verdure

The gates of Fungria stand stalwart, the flickering lantern-bugs providing a small bastion of illumination in the face of that unending night.

Tylin holds her spear aloft in the universal symbol for ‘stop or I’ll stab you’ as someone approaches these gates. The figure, cloaked in all manner of robes, collapses to the ground. Cautious, Tylin took a step towards it. And another.

A series of steps, culminating in the reveal that this figure was dressed in great finery, and their large amaranth head symbolized that they were one of royal lineage. Tylin curses.

Meanwhile, some distance away in the Floral Empire capitol of Gomphrena, the emperor Makhmali falls from his throne and onto his knees to die, with nobody else in the room.

Far, far away from all this in the Scrub-lands, another mysterious figure arrives in a tavern in the small coastal town of Hebe. The bartender, a stout thistle, grabs a flagon off the shelf with one thorny hand and passes it to this newcomer.

"What, say, is your business here traveller?"

He awaits your response.